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Marcia Muller's Sharon McCone mysteries have won her awards and critical acclaim, leading to other popular mysteries, including collaboration with her husband, author Bill Pronzini.

(17 previous messages)

Katarina Rundgren - 01:58am Apr 24, 1999 PST(#18 of 26)
A stranger is a friend you have yet to meet

Marlene,

I'm sorry about that, I just copied the list. Maybe you better double-check it by checking the copyright years in the books. Oliverez and Stark are two other characters that she writes series about and Pronzini is another authour that she apparently co-writes with occasionally.

I've just finished reading While other people sleep which is another Sharon McCone mystery. It was just as good as the others I've read. It is amazing how she can keep coming up with believable plots and characters. This one is pretty scary too, and I like how Sharon admits to feeling weak and scared but still faces and deals with things on her own.

Rik Shepherd. - 05:34am Apr 24, 1999 PST(#19 of 26)
Never hire a ferret to do a weasel's job

I think Marcia Muller is married to Bill Pronzini (I didn't know that until I came here). He writes a series about a nameless detective. At least one of the co-authored books (ie, the only one I've read, Double) had both Sharon McCone and Nameless on the same case (at a private eyes convention), with alternate chapters by each author about their character.

Has anyone read the new Sharon McCone book? Have read the reviews on the Amazon book site and they are mixed. I do like the books from when Sharon was at All Souls and more of a liberal, am not too hot on Hy Ripinsky, but I guess everyone has to get on with their life. Muller is a great writer and she really started the female PI series with Sharon McCone. Anyone read the new book?

I have recently read my first Sharon McCone mystery, Trophies and Dead Things (its old, I know). I enjoyed the writing but I knew who "done" it half way through the book. There were times when the author seemed determine for Sharon to not take the logical course of action that most private eyes would have taken. This is how I figured out the killer because if she had taken the most logical route the book would only have been about 50 pages.

Can some one recommend another one in which I am less likely to determine the answer in advance of the author's revelations. I liked the characters and the writing style but spent the whole book being frustrated at her lack of logic that would have lead her to the answer.

I would like to give the author another try but don't know what to choose. Help me, please.

A friend recommended the Marcia Muller books to me, and I was able to take the course of reading them first to last by using my local library. At this point Edwin of the Iron Shoes was my favorite. I'm not sure why but I think it was because the charecters in that book really got to me, as real people. I just finished "There's nothing to be afriad of" recently and intend to keep right on until I catch up. I have to say, I really like Sharon McCone, but her other detective, whats-er-name in "The White Cavalier" seems like she spends too much time whining and feeling sorry for herself. I wasn't aware that the Books with Bill Pronzini were part of the McCone seris. For some reason I assumed they were anthologies or something. Guess I'll have
to go back and read them too! And thank you very much Katarina for the list. I've been just going thru all the books listed for her and then looking at the pub dates. This will save me a few minutes at the library!!

It's fun reading of the rivalry among the fans of Muller, Grafton and Paretsky. It reminds of the NYC basball arguement in the 1950's: Who is better Willie, Mickey or the Duke? (It was Willie). My ranking is: 1. Muller, 2. Paretsky, 3. Grafton.
Speaking of these writers, a film
called "Women of Mystery" has been made. It's hard to find a viewing of the film but any fans of these ladies should check out the website www.womenofmystery.com.

Fran Hinkel - 09:16am Aug 2, 2004 PST(#26 of 26)
You can check out anytime you like...but you can never leave!

Booklist applauds DANGEROUS HOUR "Once again [Marcia Muller] gives us a solid slice of a San Francisco community and a protagonist with character. Fans of the sturdy, ongoing series will be especially pleased with the final scene, which opens the way for a new chapter in McCone's personal life."

The Dangerous Hour: When one of P.I. Sharon McCone's operatives is framed for credit card fraud--which puts Sharon's own business and reputation on the line--she uncovers a deadly conspiracy.